Chapter 22
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Zhuge Mun-hyeon's Return
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The Martial Arts Alliance.
The Alliance was in an uproar over the disappearance of Cheol Mu-ui.
For a man with the greatest skills in stealth and movement to go missing was proof of the Dark Blood Heaven Cult's immense power.
The Alliance Leader's Hall.
Alliance Leader Yang Cheon-rin was meeting privately with Zhuge Mun-hyeon.
Not with the Head of the Demon-Slaying Pavilion, Jo Jin-ryang, or the Head of the Demon-Dispelling Pavilion, Hwang Seong-won, with whom he usually consulted, but with Zhuge Mun-hyeon.
“Strategist Zhuge, I wanted to grant you more rest, but circumstances have forced my hand. I feel that Pavilion Head Jo and Pavilion Head Hwang lack the ability to properly resolve this situation. Please, end your seclusion and come help me. No, help this Martial Arts Alliance.”
“Huuu.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon let out a short sigh.
He still found it hard to believe that the former Alliance Leader, Hwa Un-ryong, was dead.
After his death, Zhuge Mun-hyeon had intended to leave the Martial Arts Alliance for good, but it seemed the Alliance was not yet ready to let him go.
Far from being stable, the martial world was now overrun with heretics and deviants, sprouting like bamboo shoots after the rain, as if they had been waiting for Hwa Un-ryong's death.
“My apologies for my recent conduct. I will lend what little strength I have.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Worried that Zhuge Mun-hyeon might go back on his word, Yang Cheon-rin quickly returned the Information Pavilion Master's Token that he had surrendered.
The Information Pavilion was a key institution that commanded the Demon-Slaying and Demon-Dispelling Pavilions, overseeing all intelligence in the martial world and reporting directly to the Alliance Leader.
Especially when a major problem like this arose, all eyes in the Alliance were on the Information Pavilion.
“What should we do now?”
“Although I was removed from my official position, information has continued to reach me. Thus, I am aware of the matters concerning Cheol Mu-ui and Affectionate.”
*As expected of Zhuge Mun-hyeon,* Yang Cheon-rin thought.
He was on top of all the information.
“Please continue.”
“Taiyuan County in Shanxi Province is very far. Even if we dispatch the Alliance's finest elites, it would take at least ten days to get there. Cheol Mu-ui would surely have gone into hiding, but I worry if he can hold out that long.”
“Still, we must do something.”
“That is why we must be even more cautious. What if this is a trap?”
“A trap?”
A look of bewilderment colored Yang Cheon-rin’s face.
“Are you saying they knew we sent Cheol Mu-ui and prepared for him?”
“That is likely not the case. However, if they have captured or cornered Cheol Mu-ui, they will surely expect us to send the Alliance's finest elites to rescue him. Having built such a large organization while hidden in the shadows, they must be led by a very clever individual. They would be capable of at least that much deduction.”
“Hmm.”
“If my thinking is correct, there is a high probability that Cheol Mu-ui has escaped and is hiding near Taiyuan County, awaiting a request for support, while our enemies have set a trap in return, waiting for us.”
“Hah.”
Yang Cheon-rin let out a gasp at Zhuge Mun-hyeon's sharp analysis.
“Alliance Leader. First, we must dispatch enforcers from the Demon-Slaying and Demon-Dispelling Pavilions near Taiyuan County to confirm Cheol Mu-ui's status and observe the enemy's movements. Simultaneously, you should select the Alliance's finest elites and send them as far as the nearby Zhengzhou County.”
“So, if the reconnaissance confirms that Cheol Mu-ui has escaped and is alive, and the enemy's movements are sluggish, we commit the elites to destroy their Shanxi Province Branch. Is that what you mean?”
“Precisely. If their strength is greater than expected, we must retreat for now. Waging war without knowing the enemy is a fool's errand. Now that their Shanxi Province Branch has been exposed, they will soon have to decide their next move. Will they reveal their entire organization and display their power? Or will they retreat back into the shadows?”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon had completely overturned the existing plan.
After a moment of deliberation, Yang Cheon-rin decided to put his weight behind Zhuge Mun-hyeon.
He was the man who had helped Hwa Un-ryong usher in the glorious golden age of the Martial Arts Alliance, a time when powerful evil factions like the Dark Heavenly Cult, the Black Way Union, and the Evil Emperor Union were crushed.
Although Hwa Un-ryong had personally led the Alliance's elites to subjugate them, every plan had originated from Zhuge Mun-hyeon's mind.
For that reason, Yang Cheon-rin had absolute trust in him.
**
The Information Pavilion.
Located near the Alliance Leader's Hall, the Information Pavilion was large and magnificent.
When Zhuge Mun-hyeon appeared, cheers erupted from within.
“You’ve returned.”
Yuk Yeong-seo bowed respectfully.
When Zhuge Mun-hyeon had vacated his position as the Pavilion Master, Yuk Yeong-seo, the Vice-Pavilion Master, had taken his place to protect the Information Pavilion.
“If I hadn't returned, you would have shone even brighter.”
“Oh, please don't say that.”
Yuk Yeong-seo waved his hands dismissively.
When Zhuge Mun-hyeon suddenly stepped back, Yuk Yeong-seo had taken on the work with enthusiasm, but he faced obstacles at every turn.
In particular, the cunning leaders of the various organizations were uncooperative with the young Yuk Yeong-seo.
Thanks to them, Yuk Yeong-seo had suffered greatly.
“It is my fault.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon shook his head.
He should have groomed Yuk Yeong-seo as his successor but had neglected that duty, and this was the result.
“The work report…”
“That’s alright. It’s not as if I don’t know. What of Cheol Mu-ui?”
“He entered this manor, believed to be the Shanxi Province Branch, and we lost contact with him afterward. The Tiger-Leopard Squad escorting him is also unreachable.”
“If the Tiger-Leopard Squad is unreachable, it means they’ve been dealt with. In that case, it’s highly likely Cheol Mu-ui has escaped.”
“If he had escaped, I believe he would have contacted us somehow.”
“He must not have been able to leave Taiyuan County. I hope his condition is not too serious.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon had a foreboding feeling.
“What should we do?”
“Issue an order to the Demon-Slaying and Demon-Dispelling Pavilions to send their enforcers near Taiyuan County. Instruct them to reconnoiter with caution and report back. Send it as an urgent dispatch.”
“Understood.”
“And. Please summon Yeo Jung-myeong.”
“Yes.”
Yuk Yeong-seo immediately acknowledged the order and withdrew.
A short while later.
A martial artist exuding a sharp aura entered the room and bowed his head to Zhuge Mun-hyeon.
“Yeo Jung-myeong, Leader of the Soul-Chasing Sword Squad, greets the Information Pavilion Master.”
The Soul-Chasing Sword Squad was the Information Pavilion's direct strike force and one of the most elite units in the Martial Arts Alliance.
In terms of pure martial prowess, its leader, Yeo Jung-myeong, was among the top ten in the Alliance.
“Cheol Mu-ui has gone missing in Taiyuan County.”
“I will lead the Soul-Chasing Sword Squad to Taiyuan County and rescue him.”
“For now, lead the Soul-Chasing Sword Squad to Zhengzhou County and wait on standby. If they have set a trap, even the Soul-Chasing Sword Squad could be in danger.”
“I do not believe an organization exists that could threaten the Soul-Chasing Sword Squad.”
“Do not be overconfident. I fully acknowledge your strength. But you have had several brushes with death in the past.”
“I grew stronger through them.”
“That was then. At that time, the attention of the heretics and deviants was entirely focused on Alliance Leader Hwa. In other words, they never set traps with the specific purpose of destroying you and the Soul-Chasing Sword Squad.”
“Are you saying they are waiting for me?”
“I don’t know. Who knows who they are waiting for. In any case, it is self-evident that if they set a trap, they will aim to annihilate the Martial Arts Alliance's finest elites in one fell swoop. Therefore, wait on standby in Zhengzhou County. I will gather intelligence and then issue my orders.”
“I will obey.”
Yeo Jung-myeong immediately acknowledged the order and withdrew.
**
The Ouyang Clan in Zhengzhou County.
I was meeting privately with Pure.
“An order has come from the Alliance. We are to proceed to Taiyuan County and confirm Cheol Mu-ui's status.”
I calmly read the order from the Martial Arts Alliance that Pure handed me.
It felt much heavier than any order I had received before.
“How dangerous is it?”
“You could lose your life. Cheol Mu-ui went to Taiyuan County to verify the information we provided and met with misfortune. We don’t know if he’s dead or if he escaped and is hiding somewhere.”
“He’s not dead.”
“Pardon?”
“A man like Cheol Mu-ui would survive, no matter how dire the situation.”
Pure’s eyes widened.
She must be curious about my true identity.
“Any other information?”
“It is presumed that Seop Yu-heun of the Blood Demon Saber, a former giant of the demonic path, is there. Many martial artists have been seen entering and leaving the manor, so we must be careful.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes. It seems he was attacked before he could send proper information via carrier pigeon.”
“What other measures is the Alliance taking?”
“The same order has been issued to the enforcers of the Demon-Slaying and Demon-Dispelling Pavilions near Taiyuan County. I know nothing more.”
“How frustrating.”
I stood up from my seat.
Back when I was the Alliance Leader, I had a clear view from the top, but now, having to move on orders from the lowest seat was truly frustrating.
*If Cheol Mu-ui was taken down... this is a bad sign. The Dark Blood Heaven Cult might be stronger than I anticipated, and their Shanxi Province Branch could be filled with many masters. If I go in this state, I could die.*
I had only fifty years of internal energy.
I could somehow manage the first three forms of the Heavenly Will Sword Art, but the fourth and fifth forms were impossible with this level of energy.
In a critical situation, I would need the fourth and fifth forms. Even if not, I needed to increase my internal energy to amplify the power of the existing first three forms: Flashing Thunderbolt, Swift Explosive Kill, and Sigh of Thunder.
Otherwise, if I encountered Seop Yu-heun or a master of his caliber, it would not be easy to escape.
*What if they've set a trap...*
A shiver ran down my spine.
I had lived for eighty-two years, dedicating most of my life to eradicating the heretics and deviants.
Perhaps because of that, I could guess their intentions.
“Um, Sir Affectionate.”
“What is it?”
“You can quit. This is a very dangerous mission. No one will blame you.”
Seeing me lost in thought, Pure seemed to have misunderstood.
I smiled faintly and encouraged her.
“Don’t worry. That’s not why I’m hesitating. By the way, can you spare a day or two?”
“The order was to hurry as much as possible, but I’ll see what I can do. What are you planning to do?”
“I need to visit the Full Moon Tower. Wait for me here.”
“Once an order is given, we must move together.”
“You know what kind of place the Full Moon Tower is, right? It's not a place one can easily infiltrate with stealth techniques. It may look lax on the outside, but it's a truly terrifying place. If you insist on following, you won't be Pure the liaison, but Pure my subordinate. And don't even bother with the Art of Disguise; it won't work on Elder Geum.”
“You’re going to meet Elder Geum in person?”
“Yes.”
As I smiled brightly, Pure’s head spun.
Her life must have been a series of surprises since meeting me.
“I’ll wait near the Full Moon Tower. I don’t want to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings.”
“Misunderstandings? Ah.”
I hadn’t thought of that.
If I introduced the captivating Pure as my subordinate, Hwangbo Yeon or Elder Geum might get the wrong idea.
“That would be best. Wait outside for now. It will be two days at most. If I can't make a deal with Elder Geum, you and I are very likely to die there. We need to increase our chances of survival. Don't you agree?”
“Huuu, honestly.”
Pure shook her head from side to side.
“Let’s go. We have to hurry.”
“Yes.”
I left the room immediately.
After telling my parents and the Emperor's Sword Guard Leader, Seong Je, that I would be gone for a short while, I immediately used my movement technique and headed for the Full Moon Tower.